Smoke float



April 11, 1961 Filed Oct. 24, 1944 D. JACKSON 2,978,716

SMOKE FLOAT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 s7 63 g4 52 54 44 36 53 5 3e Apnl 1961 D.JACKSON 2,978,716

SMOKE FLOAT Filed Oct. 24, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 1% 3. FIQ 41.

Swen W049 L17. Jackson United States i The present invention relates toa smoke float of the type suitable for use in screening landing parties,vessels, airports and the like.

i The principal object of the invention is the provision of a smokefloat which may be relied upon to function either on land or in water,as the case may be, regardless of weather conditions and in whichignition and uniform burning of the pyrotechnic charge therein will beinsured Without the danger of violent explosive action of the confinedpyrotechnic materials.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improvedsmoke float having means for excluding water and moisture from thechamber containing the pyrotechnic charge during the transportation andlaunching of the float.

Another object is to provide a smoke float having a predetermined timedelay period between the operation of the pull igniter and the startingof the smoke producing mixture whereby suflicient time is given theoperator to launch the float before ignition of the smoke producingmaterial has occurred.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a smoke floathaving new and improved means for producing suflicient heat invariablyto ignite the smoke producing mixture.

A still further object is to provide a new and improved smoke floatwhich is economical to manufacture, reliable in operation, and whichpossesses the qualities of durability 'during handling andtransportation and safety dur-' ing storage.

Still other objects, novel features, and advantages of this inventionwill become apparent fromthe' following specification taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a smokefloat constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

Fig; 2 is a bottom plan view on a reduced scale of the smoke float ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the pyrotechnicigniter and associate parts thereof;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and,

Fig, 5-is a detailsectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings wherein similar reference characters areemployed-to designate like parts throughout the several views, thesmokeemitting device is gen 'erally indicated by the numeral 10, andcomprises an outer cylindrical casing 11 composed of sheet steel or ofany other metal suitable for the purpose. The casing 11 is provided withupper and lower walls 12 and13 respectively, each wall having outwardlyextending flanges 14 and 15 adapted to engage the inner periphery of thecylindrical casing. 11 adjacent the upper and lower endsrespectivelyihereof, and arelsecured thereto in'any suitablemanner,preferably by welding the par-ts together in a manner as to provide awatertight; joint therebe' atent Patented Apr. 11, .1961

tween. By this arrangement a flotation chamber 16 is provided 'withinthe casing 11 between the cylindrical wall thereof and the walls 12 and13 thereby rendering the float buoyant so that the float is adapted toride in a vertical position'upon the surface of a body of Water whenlaunched therein. The casing -11 is provided with apertures 17 and 18,of which the aperture 17 is positioned slightly abovethe lower wall 13and communicates with the floatation chamber 16 whereas aperture 18 ispositioned slightlybelow the upper wall 12 and also communicates withthe floatation chamber thereby causing the smoke emitting device to sinkafter the sup.- ply of smoke emitting material has been exhausted. Astabilizer generally indicated by the reference character 19 comprises acylindrical skirt 21 composed of sheet steel or any other metal suitablefor the purpose which is'adapted to be welded to the flange 15 andcasing 11 as indicated at 22. -The skirt is provided with an end wall 23having an outwardly extending flange 24 adapted to be welded to theinner periphery of the skirt 22 adjacent the lower end thereof. By thisarrangement a stabilizing chamber 25 is provided below the floatationchamber and within the cyl ndrical skirt 21, and between the walls 11'and 23. The cylindrical skirt 21 and the end wall 23- have openings 26therein adapted to communicate with the stabilizing chamber therebyproviding means for quickly'admitting water thereto after the smokefloat has been launched. The water entering through openings 26 andflooding the chamber 25 provides a mass at the lower end of the smokeemitting device whereby the device will float in a substantiallyvertical position upon the surface of a turbulent body of water byreason of the inertial effect of the entrained mass of water. V

Walls 12, 13 and 23 are each provided with centrally disposed openings27 therein, each wall having outwardly extending flanges '28respectively surrounding each of the openings. The flanges are adaptedto engage and sup? port a tubular container 29 centrally within thecasing 11 and in'- spaced relation with respect thereto. Container 2 9is provided with a reinforced convexbottom wall 31 having a downwardlyextending flange 32 adapted to be welded to' the inner periphery of thecontainer in such a manner as to provide a watertight jointtherebetween; The container 29 is'of such length as to pass through thefloatation and stabilizer chambers and to extend above the upper wall 12of the casing 11. H I p The tubular container or receptacle 29 is openat the upper end thereof thereby providing means for filling thecontainer with a smoke producing mixture indicated by the referencecharacter 33 and consisting of ngredients well known in the art anduniformly mixed thereby to insure positive ignition and uniform burningof the' smoke producing mixture. A meltable flange disc or partition 34is pressed into the upper end of the container 29 in such a manner as toprevent shifting of the smoke producingmixture within the containerduring shipment and handling thereof. The mel table disc or partition 34is composed of material which possesses a low heat and fire resistingquality such, for example, as zinc, and is adapted to be melted ordisintegratedby heat. 7

A reinforced cover or closure 35 is" adapted'to close the upper end ofthe container 29 after'the container has been filled with the smokemixture 33. The cover'35is adapted to be secured to the container in anysuitable manner preferably by bolts 36 passing through openings in thecover and through registering openings in a gasket 37 disposed betweenthe cover and a flange 38" secured to the upper end of the tubularcontainer 29 as by welding the parts'together. The bolts 36 also passthrough registering openings in the flange 38- and" are providedwith-'nuts"39"in abutting relation with the flange 3 8 thusproviding-means whereby the gasket 37 is compressed between the coverand the flange 38 and thereby insuring water and moisture proofprotection for the smoke producing mixture 33. The cover 35 is providedwith a centrallydisposed opening 41 surrounded'by a flange 42 adapted toreceive a nipple 43 secured to the flange in any suitable manner,preferably as by welding the nipple thereto in such a manner as toprovide a water and moisture tight joint therebetween. The nipple 43 isprovided with a threaded opening 44 adapted to have threaded engagementwith the threaded portion ofa pyrotechnic container generally indicatedby the reference character 45. The pyrotechnic container comprises atube 46 extending below the cover 35 and into a heat and pressurechamber 47 provided in the upper end of the tubular container 29 betweenthe cover and the meltable zinc disc 34.

A plurality of exhaust ports 48 are provided in the portion of thecontainer 29 which extends above the upper wall 12 of the casing 11. Aplurality of discs 49 composed of any suitable material, preferably ofsteel, are adapted to seal the ports 48 respectively, the discs beingsoldered to the container about the ports in such a manner as to preventwater and moisture from seeping therethrough. When sufl'icient heat andpressure have been accumulated within the heat and pressure chamber 47as a result of the burning of the pyrotechnic material within thecontainer 45, the solder surrounding the discs 49 melts whereby thepressure within the chamber is sufficient to blow the discs 49 from theports 48 of the container thereby exposing the ports and allowing thesmoke produced by the burning of the smoke mixture to escapetherethrough. The float is adapted to produce a volume and density ofsmoke having total obscuring power for a suitable period of time such,for example, as a period of eighteen minutes. The container 45 is alsoprovided with an enlarged head 51 at the upper end thereof, of largerdiameter than the tube 46 thereby providing a shoulder 52 adapted toengage a gasket 53 suitable for the purpose such, for example, as acopper asbestcs gasket surrounding the container and adapted to bepositioned between the shoulder andnipple 43. The head 51 is providedwith oppositely arranged cutaway portions 54 adapted to receive a wrenchor any other tool suitable for the purpose whereby the gasket 53 iscompressed between the shoulder 52 and the nipple 43 as the container isscrewed into the nipple, thereby providing a watertight jointtherebetween and preventing water and moisture from seeping therethroughand contacting the smoke mixture 33 which would otherwise effectdeterioration or ignition of the mixture.

A quantity of starter mixture 55 of any composition suitable for thepurpose is disposed within-the tube 46. A plurality of ejector fuses 56are disposed within the tube 46 in such a manner as to contact thetapered inner wall of the tube 46 and to extend throughout approximatelythe full length of the tube. The starter mixture 55 is adapted toenclose the fuses 56 substantially as shown on Figs. 3 and 5, wherebyupon ignition of the starter mixture the ignition of the fuses isinitiated. By reason of the tapered inner wall of the tube 46 and theaction of the ignited ejectors, the hot slag formed by the burning ofthe starter mixture is prevented from clogging tube 46 and is ejectedtherefrom downwardly onto the zinc disc 34. When this occurs, the heatand hot slag causes disintegration of the disc 34 thereby allowing thehot slag to come intocontact with the smoke producing mixturecausingignition of the smoke producing mixture and producing smoketherefrom. The ejector fuses are of any well known type suitable for thepurpose and of such construction as to burn evenly for approximately 27seconds.

A shoulder 57 is provided within the lower end of the tube 46 and isadapted to provide a seat for a blow 'out disc 58 composed of suitablematerial preferably having a, highly combustible quality such, forexample, as nitro.

cellulose, the disc being provided with a plurality of vents 59 torelieve the pressure within the pyrotechnic eontainer caused by theignition and burning of the pyrotechnic material therein, therebypreventing violent explosions of the confined pyrotechnic materialsduring the burning thereof. b An end wall 61 composed preferably ofManila paper is mounted within the pyrotechnic container subjacent theblow out disc 58. The disc 58 and end wall 61 are adapted to be retainedwithin the lower end of the tube 46 in any suitable manner as bycrimping the lower edge of the pyrotechnic container as at 62 wherebythe wall 61 is held firmly against the disc 58 and thereby prevents thestarter mixture from seeping through the vents 59 of the disc 58.

The container 45 is internally threaded at the upper end portion thereofand is adapted to receive an adapter generally indicated by thereference character 63 comprising a flange 64 provided with a downwardlyextending threaded nipple 65 adapted to have threaded engagement withthe aforesaid threaded upper end of the container. The nipple isthoroughly coated with cement of any well known type preferably of suchtype known in the trade as Pettmans cement whereby a water and moisturetight joint is provided between the adapter and the upper end of thecontainer 45. The adapter 63 is also I provided with an upwardlyextending threaded nipple 66 adapted to have threaded engagement withthe threaded portion of a detachable cap 67. Each of the nipples 65 and66 is provided with centrally disposed recesses 68 and 69 separated byan inwardly extending flange 71. An igniter unit and time fuse containergenerally indicated by the reference character 72 and comprising atubular member 73 of any material suitable for the purpose such, forexample, as heavy cardboard having the upper end thereof restricted insuch a manner as to provide a flattened portion 74 adapted to beinserted into diametrically opposite U shaped notches 75 provided inflange 71. The recesses 68 and 69 are filled with molten beeswax 76thereby providing additional means for securing the tube within theadapter. The igniter unit comprises a length of pull igniter wire of anywell known type suitable for the purpo e preferably of the type known inthe trade as Ensign Bickford Ingniter adapted to be disposed within theupper end of the tube 73 and comprising the usual ignitercap 77 andigniter wire 78 having a toggle or handle 79 connected to the upper endthereof thereby providing means whereby the toggle may be readilygrasped and the igniter wire pulled through the igniter cap 77. Whenthis occurs, a sudden burst of flame is produced therefrom as thefrictional surface on the igniter wire frictionally engages the ignitercap 77 whereby initial starting of the pyrotechnic material within thepyrotechnic container is accomplished. The cap 67 is adapted to protectthe toggle 79 and the igniter wire 78 and prevent accidentally pullingor bending of the igniter wire sufliciently to cause preignition of thesmoke float until the cap has been removed.

A time fuse 81 well known in the art as safety fuse and having a burningtime of approximately seconds per foot length of the fuse is disposedwithin the tube 73 and is adapted to have a short piece of quickmatch 82secured in the upper end thereof and spaced a predetermined distancefrom the igniter cap 77 so that ignition of the quickmatch will occurwhen the cap 77 has been ignited by a pull on the igniter wire 78.Furthermore, the time fuse 81 is adapted to extend beyond the lower endof the tubular member 73 and into contact with the starter mixture 55and is provided with a length of quickmatch 83 mounted crosswise thereinby reason of diametrically opposite slits provided in the lower end ofthe time fuse. A ferrule 84 is pressed about the lower end of the timefuse 81 thereby contracting the end portion thereof due to the slitstherein thereby providing means for clamping the quickmatch withinthelower end of the fuse. The tubular member 73 is adapted to be wrappedwith? a ;strip-of; k-raft wrapping paper 85, the; wrapping extendingbelowthe lower-end 1 thereof and covering a portion .of the-time fusewhichextends beyond thetubular member 73, thereby enclosing the lowerend of'the tubular member so that sparks, created by the burning of thetime'fuse will be prevented from contacting the starter mixture, wherebypremature-firing of the starter mixture is prevented.

In'operation, the, protector cap 67 is removed from the nipple;66 andthe toggle79 is grasped by the operatorand given a, quick, pull wherebythe igniter wire 78 secured thereto frictionally engages the igniter cap77 as the wire is drawn therethrough thereby igniting thecap 77 toproduce aflame therefromeandaalsozlcreating a stream of smoke.=thatvwill; be; emittedifrom a hole: left in the bees.- wax: as: theigniter-wire;78;is:withdrawn therefrom thus assuring properfunctioningof'the pull igniter and, initial starting of.;.the pyrotechnicmaterialwithin: thezpyrotechnic container. The smoke float is nowlaunched and, dueto the floatation chamber and stabilizer aforesaid, thefloat will ride in a vertical position upon the surface of. the waterfor a predetermined period of time. Ignition of the quickmatch 82mounted in the upper end of the time fuse '81 is initiated by the flamefrom the igniter cap 77 after theigniter Wire 78 has been withdrawnthereby initiating burning of the time fuse. After apredetermined'period of time controlled 'by the time fuse has elapsed,the quickmatch 83 and the ejector fuses 56 are ignited thereby causingignition of the starting mixture 55. As the starting mixture continuesto burn, heat and pressure are produced suflicient to causedisintegration of the end wall 61 and to cause blowing out or melting ofthe disc 58 thereby allowing the hot slag produced by the burning of thestarting mixture to be ejected from the now open end of tube 46 and tobe deposited upon the zinc disc 34 causing disintegration of the discand the ignition of the smoke producing material therein. sufficientheat and pressure are now stored within the heat chamber 47 to melt thesolder surrounding the discs 49 thereby allowing the pressure within theheat chamber to blow off the discs 49- and unseal the ports 48 providedin the upper portion of the container 129 so that the smoke produced bythe burning of the smoke mixture 33 will' escape through the ports 48.Furthermore, when the supply of-smoke producing mixture 33 has becomeexhausted the float sinks in the following manner: as the smoke floatrides upon thesurface of the water, a quantity of water enters thefloatation chamber 16 through aperture 17 thereby-forcing air outwardlyfrom the chamber through aperture 1-8 until the chamber is flooded andsubstantially all the air has been expelled therefrom, whereby thespecific gravity of the float becomes greater than'the specific gravityof the surrounding water and the float is caused to sink.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government'of the United States of-America for governmental purposeswithout the payment of. any royalties thereon or therefor. 7

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by 7 Letters .Patent ofthe United States is: I

1. A smoke emitting-device adapted to float upon the surface of a bodyof water for a predetermined period of time comprising an outercylindrical casing having upper and lower Walls secured thereto andproviding a floatation chamber therebetween, means including aperforated cylindrical skirt secured to the lower portionof said casingand having'a perforated end wall secured thereto for entraining a massof water as said smoke emitting device is launched within the water, aninner container having a: heat and pressure chamber enclosed therein andsupportedwithin said casing by said upper, lower and perforated wallsrespectively and in spaced relation with re specttthereto, said innercontainer having a quantity of smoke producing mixture therein subjacentthe heat and pressure chamber,- fusible means forpreventing said mixturefrom shifting within said container,- a closure for Hermeticallysea-lingsaid container, apyrotechnic container r supported by-saidclosureand exte'ndinginto said'heat and pressure chamber, a firing unitarranged in said pyrotechnic container, said firing unitincluding meansfor igniting said smokemixture'jsaid inner'container having apluralityof scaled exhaust'portsarranged therein incommunication with saidheat-and pressure chamber, said ports being adapted tobe unsealed by'heat and'pressure thereon produced by the burning of 'saidimixturethereby to permit the escape of "smoke therethrough from said innercontainer, said casing having. a port-arranged in thelowerportion-thereofin communication with" said floatation chamber-foradmittingwaterrtheretoi and'an additional port arranged in the upper.portion thereof 10 permit the escape of airthe'refrom as the waterriseswithinssaidi floatation chamber whereby sufli'cient water-mayenterthe floatation chamber to cause the smoke emitting device to. sinkwhen apredetermined' period of time has elapsed: after the .devicehas-been launched.

2. A-smokefloat adapted to ride upon the surface of a body of Waterand-comprising an outer casing having a floatation chamber enclosedtherein adapted to render the floatbuoyant; said casing having aplurality of ports therein for flooding of said floatation chamberthereby causing the-float to sink-after a predeterminedperiod of timehas elapsed, a water entraining stabilizer secured to the .lower portionof said casing and'includingmeans for flooding the stabilizer as thefloat is launchedwhereby the smoke float will ride in a-substantiallyvertical position upon the surface ofthe water, an inner containerhavinga quantity of smoke producing mixture therein, a meltabl-e discpressedinto said inner container for-preventing said mixture fromshifting within said container, a cover spaced from said meltable discfor closing the upper end of said container, a heat and pressure chamberprovided within said inner container between said cover and melt-' abledisc, a pyrotechnic container supported by said cover and extending intosaid heat and pressure chamber, said pyrotechnic container having atapered bore within which is arranged a quantity of starter mixture,said starter mix ture having fuse ejector means arranged therein, atubular member supported within said pyrotechnic container and havingfiring means arranged therein, said firing means including means forigniting said starter mixture and thereby producing hot slag therefromas the starter mixture burns, said firing means also igniting said fuseejector means and thereby causing said'slag to 'be'ejected from thetapered bore of said pyrotechnic container, said slagbeing ejected: ontosaid meltabledisc thereby causing the disc to melt and allow the slag tocome into contact with and'ignite said smoke producing mixture wherebysmoke will be emitted therefrom, said inner container having a pluralityof sealed exhaust ports arranged therein and adapted to be unsealed. bysaid heat and pressure thereby to permit escape of said smoke.

3. A smoke emitting device adapted to float upon the surface of abody ofwater for a predetermined periodoftime and comprising an outercylindrical casing having upper and lower Walls secured thereto therebyto provide a floatation chamber, a water entraining stabilizer securedto said casing and to said lower wall, said' stabilizer including aperforated cylindrical skirt having a perforated end wall securedthereto to allow the stabilizer to be flooded quickly and entrain a massof water when the smoke emitting device is launched, an .inner containerhaving a heat and pressure chamber enclosed therein and sup portedwithin said casing by said upper and lower and perforated walls inspaced relation with respect to the casing, said container having aquantity of smoke producing mixture arranged therein subjacent said heatand pressure chamber, a fusible flanged disc pressed into' saidcontainer'and adapted to prevent said'mixture from: shifting'thereinduring handling and during transportation of therdevicqa cover adaptedto seal' the-upper end of said containerhermetically, a pyrotechniccontainer supported by said cover and extendinginto said heat andpressure chamber, firing means arranged within the pyrotechniccontainer, said firing means including means for igniting said smokeproducing mixture thereby to produce smoke therefrom, said innercontainer having a plurality of scaled exhaust ports arranged therein incommunication with said heat and pressure chamber, said exhaust portsbeing adapted to be unsealed by the heat and pressure caused by theburning of said mixtures thereby to permit smoke to escape from theinner container, said casing having a pair' of apertures thereinarrangedwithin the upper and lower portions respectively of said casingthereby to flood the floatation chamber sufiiciently to cause the deviceto sink when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the devicehas been launched.

4. A smoke emitting device comprising an outer casing enclosing afloatation chamber, a water entraining stabilizing device securedto'said casing, an inner container supported within said casing andhaving a heat and pressure chamber therein and a quantity of smokeproducing mixture arranged subjacent the heat andpressure, chamber, ameltable disc mounted in the end of said inner container for preventingsaid mixture from shiftingtherein, a closure for hermetically sealingthe upper end of said inner container, a pyrotechnic container, means ofsaid clo-- sure for supporting said pyrotechnic container within saidheat and pressure chamber in proximate spaced relation to said disc,said pyrotechnic container having a tapered bore adapted to contain aquantity of starter mixture therein, said starter mixture having fuseejector means arranged therein, an adapter for closing the upper end ofsaid pyrotechnic container, means on said adapter for supporting atubular'mcmber within said pyrotechnic container, said tubular memberextending into said starter mixture and having afiring unit and timedelay unit arranged therein, said firing unit being adapted to ignitesaid time delay unit and allow a predetermined period of time to elapsebefore said time delay unitignites said starter mixture to produce hotslag therefrom, combustible means mounted in the lower end of saidpyrotechnic container for retaining said starter mixture within saidtapered bore, and fusible means mounted in said pyrotechnic containersuperjacent said combustible means and adapted to relieve the pressurewithin said pyrotechnic container sufficiently to prevent a violentexplosion of the confined pyrotechnic material within said bore, each ofsaid combustible and fusible means being adapted to be disintegrated bythe heat and pressure caused by the burning of said pyrotechnic materialwhereby said hot slag is ejected from the open end of said pyrotechniccontainer by said fuse ejector means onto said meltable disc to causedisintegration of the disc and ignition of said smoke producing mixture.

S. A smoke emitting device comprising an outer casing enclosing afloatation chamber and having water entraining stabilizing means securedthereto, an inner container supported within said casing and having aheat and pressure chamber enclosed therein and a quantity of smokeproducing mixture disposed therein subjacent said heat and pressurechamber, a meltable disc mounted in one end portion of said innercontainer for preventing said mixture from shifting therein, a closurefor hermetically sealing the upper end of said inner container, meansattached to said closure for supporting a pyrotechnic container withinsaid heat and pressure chamber in proximate spaced relation to saiddisc, said pyrotechnic container having a tapered bore within which isarranged a quantity of starter mixture, fuse ejector means arrangedwithin said starter mixture for causing the residue of the startermixture to be ejected from said pyrotechnic container onto said meltabledisc thereby to cause disintegration of the disc and the ignition ofsaid smoke producing mixture, means for closing the upper end of saidpyrotechnic container, said closing means including means for supportinga tilbular member within the pyrotechnic container, said tu-' bularmember extending into said starter mixture and having a firing unitarranged therein, a time delay unit arranged within said tubular memberand adapted to be firedby said firing unit and having means for ignitingsaid starting mixture, means enclosing the tubular member and a portionof saidtime delay unit for preventing premature firing of said startermixture, said inner container having a plurality of scaled exhaust portsprovided therein in communication with said heat and pressure chamber,said exhaust ports being adapted to be unsealed by the heat and pressurethereby to permit the escape of smoke therethrough.

" 6. A smoke emitting device comprising an outer casing enclosing afloatation chamber and having water entraining stabilizing means securedthereto, an inner container supported within said casing and having aheat and pressure chamber therein, a quantity of smoke producing mixturedisposed within said inner container subjacent said heat and pressurechamber, a meltable disc mounted in an end portion of said innercontainer for preventing said smoke producing mixture from shiftingtherein, a cover for hermetically sealing the upper end of said inhercontainer, an annular flange attached to said cover and having athreaded nipple secured thereto, a pyrotechnic container provided with ascrew threaded portion adjacent the upper end thereof and in threadedengagement with saidthreaded nipple thereby supporting said pyrotechniccontainer within said heat and pressure chamber in proximate spacedrelation to said disc, said pyrotechnic container having a tapered bore,the wall of said bore being threaded adjacent the upper end thereof, aquantity of starter mixture arranged within said bore, a pair of fuseejcctors arranged within said starter mixture, a perforated fusible discmounted in the lower end ofsaid pyrotechnic container for relievingpressure within the pyrotechnic container after ignition and during theburning of said starter mixture, a combustible disc mounted in saidpyrotechnic container subjacent said fusibledisc for sealing the lowerend of the pyrotechnic container thereby retaining the starter mixturewithin said tapered bore prior to the ignition thereof, an adapter, anannular member on said adapter, a downwardly extending threaded nippleattached to 'said annular member and in threaded engagement with saidthreaded portion within said tapered bore for sealing the upper end ofsaid pyrotechnic container, said annular member having an upwardlyextending threaded nipple thereon, each of said nipples being providedwith a recess therein, a flange on said adapter disposed between saidrecesses and having a pair of diametrically opposed U-shaped notchestherein, a tubular member having a restricted upper end constructed andarranged to be forced into said U-shaped notches thereby to support saidtubular member within said pyrotechnic container and within said startermixture, an igniter unit arranged in the upper end of said tubularmember, an igniter cap operatively connected to said igniter unit, apull igniter wire extending through said igniter cap for igniting thecap as the wire is pulled therethrough, a toggle secured to the end ofsaid pull igniter wire to provide a hand grip therefor, a detachable capenclosing said toggle to prevent accidential pulling and bending of saidpull igniter wire, said cap having a screw threaded portion therein innormal threaded engagement with said upwardly extending screw threadednipple, a quantity of beeswax arranged within each of said recessesrespectively for sealing a portion of said pull igniter wire within saidbeeswax until the igniter wire is removed therefrom and for additionallysupporting the tubular member within said adapter, a time delay fuzedisposed within said tubular member, a quickmatch mounted in the upperend of said time delay fuse for firing the time delay fuse, and anadditional quickmatch mounted crosswise in the lower end of said timefuse for firing said starter mixture there by to produce hot slagtherefrom, said last named quickmatch being constructed and arranged toignite said fuse ejectors whereby said slag is ejected from saidpyrotechnic container onto said meltable disc due to the action of the.fuse ejector upon said slag within said tapered bore thereby causingdisintegration of the disc and ignition of said smoke producing mixture.

7. A smoke emitting device adapted to float in water and sink after apredetermined period of time, said device comprising a central tubularreceptacle, a casing surrounding said receptacle and secured theretowith provisions for entraining water to thereby stabilize said device,said receptacle being of greater length than said casing and having oneend thereof extending therebeyond, a closure secured to said one end ofthe receptacle, a quantity of smoke producing material retained withinsaid receptacle, holding means within said receptacle for engaging saidmaterial and maintaining the same in place therein, said holding meansbeing spaced from said closure for forming a heat and pressure chamber,and a self-contained pyrotechnic unit detachably secured in said closureand including a container extending therethrough and into said chamber,said container terminating adjacent said holding means and havingcombustible means therein for destroying said holding means and ignitingsaid material, said receptacle adjacent said one end thereof beingformed with a plurality of sealed exhaust ports communicating with saidchamber, said exhaust ports being adapted to be unsealed by heat andpressure for escape of smoke therethrough to the outside atmosphere.

8. A smoke emitting device as defined in claim 7, said casing comprisinga floatation chamber having a plurality of apertures therein foradmitting water thereinto and causing said device to sink after apredetermined period of time sufficient for the smoke producing mixtureto be exhausted.

9. A smoke emitting device as defined in claim 7, said combustible meansincluding a starting mixture which produces a hot slag upon burningthereof, said holding means being fusible and adapted to be fused bysaid hot er and including a container extending therethrough and intosaid receptacle to a point adjacent said material, the lower end of saidcontainer being closed by a disc of com bustible material, at least apair of elongated ejector fuzes arranged in tranversely spaced relationwithin said container and extending upwardly from said disc, a tubularmember disposed between said ejector fuses and secured in dependentrelation to the upper end of the container, igniter means in the upperportion of said tubular memher and operatively connected for actuationby means outside the container, an elongated time delay fuze having alower end disposed adjacent said disc and the major portion of theremainder thereof encased in said tubular member, a transverselydisposed length of quick match connected at its intermediate portion ofthe lower end of said time delay fuse with its ends engaging said pairof ejector fuses respectively, and a quantity of starter mixture in saidcontainer filling the space between said fuses and encasing saidquickmatch, whereby the starter mixture and ejector fuses are ignited intime delayed relation with respect to actuation of the igniter means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS366,077 Delany July 5, 1887 650,288 Wilson May 22, 1900 1,886,522 BuckNov. 8, 1932 2,119,697 Anderson June 7, 1938 2,328,916 Le Gomte Sept. 7,1943 2,362,553 Hitt Nov. 14, 1944 2,402,143 Arenstein June 18, 19462,423,859 Van Karner July 15, 1947 2,430,698 Allen Nov. 11, 1947

